Author: SME Chamber

Green MT, the National Authorised Packaging Waste Compliance Scheme has held its annual Council Awards under the patronage of the Hon. Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change, Jose Herrera and the Hon. Stefan Buontempo, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government.

The Green Council Awards have entered into their sixth year and nine awards were this year given to Local Councils, Schools, Industry Operators, 

 and individuals who have distingushed themselves in the sector of waste separation and final recycling.

In 2015, Green MT has managed to collect 4986 tons of recyclable waste from across 28 towns and villages in Malta and Gozo. More than three-quarters of that waste came from household waste collection, with 21.6 per cent collected at bring-in sites. Green MT manages 41 grey bag collections each week from these localities. As of 2015, Green MT has also started the glass bottles and glass container collection and has managed to collect and recycle 257 tons. 

Addressing the Green Council Awards, GREEN Mt CEO, Mr Joe Attard explained that each tonne costs the Scheme anything €120 in Malta and €217 in Gozo. Mr. Attard said that “sustainability in this sector can be ensured if the law obliges residents to separate at home” 

GRTU Vice President and Green Mt Director Marcel Mizzi said that GRTU is committed to ensure the proper implementation of the extended Poluter Pays Principle according to various EU Environemnt Directive. Mr. Mizzi continued that GRTU is a main stakeholder and on behalf of it’s members, it must be involved in every decision taken on waste management.

The winners of the Green Council Awards are:

OVERALL BEST PERFORMING LOCAL COUNCIL

• Ta’ Xbiex – (inġabru 239 tunnellata – 87 kg per capita)

• Imġarr, Malta – (inġabru 223 tunnellata – 61 kg per capita)

• Mellieħa – (inġabru 607 tunnellati – 60 kg per capita)

AWARD FOR INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT TO RECYCLING

• Is-Sur Mario Calleja – Sindku ta’ Marsaskala

OUTSTANDING COLLEGE OF THE YEAR AWARD

• St Ignatius College, Luqa Primary

RECYCLING BUSINESS YEAR AWARD

• Simonds Farsons Cisk

LOCAL COUNCIL IMPROVEMENT AWARD

• Imtarfa

BEST PERFORMANCE GLASS COLLECTION

• Siġġiewi

MOST SUPPORTIVE LOCAL COUNCIL

• San Pawl l-Baħar

The Kappara Junction Project has registered progress as diversion and alternate routes have been upgraded and improved in preparation for excess traffic that would be using such roads during the more rigorous phases of the project where actual works will be undertaken at the Kappara Junction itself.

Works have included widening of roads such as in Swieqi Valley, amended traffic diversions to support a circular traffic flow such as at Gzira strand, as well as upgrading of road infrastructure. During the month of June, Transport Malta has implemented new traffic management at Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann. This route is to be utilised as one of the major diversion routes for traffic once Kappara Junction will be partially or fully closed during works.

GRTU has followed business needs closely during this change whereby better implementation and support to commuters was necessary. The business community in San Gwann has been in constant communication with GRTU. GRTU has managed to safeguard interests of retail outlets by convincing the authorities to install adequate un/loading bays in the area as well as introducing timed parking to ensure customers find adequate parking facilities in the vicinity. Moreover it is expected that in a few weeks time, when major works are undertaken at the Kappara Junction and further closures are effected in other zones, traffic will increase drastically resulting in more business in the outlets of the effected area.

GRTU continues with its proposals and communication with businesses and government on this project in order to ensure that business interests are safeguarded. The GRTU Transport Lobby Group represents business operators related to the passenger and goods transport and logistics sector. The Lobby Group continues to offer its on-the-ground expertise in order to put forward proposals and mitigate possible pitfalls. On the other hand, GRTU continues supplying direct information to business outlets in the effected zones to ensure that their interests are safeguarded as much as possible during the months ahead as the project progresses.

The next immediate step is that of Sliema Road partial closures and related works. GRTU is in contact with its members in the area in order to ensure a smooth transition. GRTU is gathering information and suggestions from businesses in the effected area and surroundings to be able to fully represent business interests and ensure that any measures to mitigate such effects are taken in full by government and respective authorities. For further information you are kindly asked to contact GRTU on 79232884 or 21232881.

A press conference was held at MCCAA to inaugurate ‘Servizz bi Tbissima’ The Service with a smile award’ that will also be extended to the best online service.

This award is organized by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA). The aim of this competition is to recognize those shops that offer good service and strive to improve the relationship between consumers and retailers. At the same time promote good business practices.

Addressing the conference, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Hon. Helena Dalli said that following the positive experience of last year, this year another category will be added where consumers will have the opportunity to reward business that offer good service online.

Director-General within the MCCAA Joyce Borg explained how apart from ensuring law enforcement amongst business, the Authority also conducts online action to ensure that sales and purchases online are efficient. Thus consumers have the peace of mind that these sales methods are in accordance with the GRTU supports the 2nd edition of ‘Servizz bi Tbissima’ law. GRTU Vice President Marcel Mizzi praised the initiative and said that the GRTU strongly supports this award. He mentioned how GRTU insisted that the application should be accessed and submitted online to make the application process easier. Mr Mizzi expressed the importance of the Maltese businesses using online platforms and said that in the coming days a financial scheme will be launched to help and encurage business owners to start selling over the internet.

In this second edition, consumers will play a key role in choosing the winner through online voting on the MCCAA Facebook page as well as through the website.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony that will be held in October.

Nomination forms along with more details about this award can be accessed at: www.mccaa.org.mt 

GRTU has recently insisted with the Department of Local Government for a clear policy to be introduced in relation to the loading and unloading of containers.

The issue relates to containers being loaded and unloaded within Localities as opposed to the Hal Far Groupage Complex. GRTU has been advocating the principle that traders had every right to request permission to place a container within a Locality as long as the entire contents of the container were to be delivered to the same recipient.

Containers carrying groupage are strictly to be unloaded at the Hal Far Groupage Complex in terms of the Motor Tractors Regulations.

Until recently, the practice to load or unload a container outside one’s warehouse consisted of simply obtaining a permit from the Local Council offices in that locality.

Nonetheless in recent months members complained that certain Local Councils were refusing to issue permits for placing containers outside their premises temporarily in order to load or unload their contents. The issue revolved around conflicting interpretations of two pieces of legislation: the Motor Tractors Regulations and the Activities Requiring Permits by Local Councils Regulations.

This has left many traders fuming after being unable to carry out their commercial activities and moreover being served with contraventions to appear in Court charged with having containers parked on the street without the necessary permits.

After analyzing the existing regulations, GRTU’s legal department asked the Director for Local Government from the Parliamentary Secretariat for Local Government to confirm the GRTU’s interpretation which was eventually confirmed by virtue of two circulars that finally clarified the matter.

Members are therefore being made aware of the correct procedure for placing containers outside their premises:

• Containers still loaded on their trailers simply require a Police Permit from the local district office. They do not require a permit from the Local Council. A Police Permit will always be given under the following conditions: (1) that no road is obstructed; (2) that no inconvenience to neighbours is caused; and (3) that no garages are obstructed.

• Containers that have been removed from their trailers and placed on the street do not require a Police Permit. The trader however will have to obtain a Local Council permit. Permits for temporarily placing containers on the street from Local Councils cost €35.00 for a twenty-foot container and €70.00 for a forty-foot container.

Following Britain’s referendum result at the end of June, GRTU Malta Chamber of SMEs President Paul Abela has requested a meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development for Government and social partners to plan together a way forward in a context of an EU without Great Britain.

There is definitely an expected impact for the political and economic reality of the European Union and developments have to be followed closely. The political setting in Great Britain is also moving fast with resignations from PM David Cameron and with lead EXIT campaigners now refraining from taking leadership in a possible post-BREXIT United Kingdom whilst calls for Scottish Independence resurface.

Nonetheless whilst following these developments closely, our focus should only remain on Malta’s own positive economic momentum. There should not be any alarm bells but rather maintain Malta’s economic growth and identify opportunities in this new setting. This was Paul Abela’s first reactions to a MEUSAC Core Group meeting held days after the British vote. 

A new Code of Practice for outlets serving alcoholic beverages was launched amid calls for a more inclusive social responsibility to promote common welfare.

The new code replaces the one introduced 15 years ago and is the result of collaboration between The Sense Group, the Institute for Tourism Studies

 (ITS), the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), the GRTU Malta Chamber of SMEs and the Malta Bartenders Guild (MBG).

The new code introduced for the first time concerns the element of binge-drinking and lays out guidelines on how to deal with people who would have exceeded legal drink limits.

Outlets which serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises contribute to social well-being by providing venues for socialising and entertainment. It is for this reason that outlets serving alcoholic beverages acknowledge their social responsibility through these ethical guidelines.

These outlets must:

• Only promote legal consumption of alcohol;
• Not serve alcoholic beverages to any person below the legal drinking age. If a bartender or serving staff is in doubt as to the age of the purchaser, proof of age should be requested and ascertained;
• Not serve alcoholic beverages to known alcoholics. Serving staff should make an effort to identify negative behaviour that is related to alcoholism and aim at preempting issues that may arise as a result of excessive consumption of alcohol;
• Not serve alcohol to anyone who has clearly exceeded the legal drink driving limit and is identified to have the intention to drive afterwards. In such cases they shall offer alternative non-alcoholic beverages and advise clients to either seek passage home with someone who is within the legal limits or, either takes public transport or a taxi. Bartenders should take the initiative in such instances and offer to make the necessary arrangements themselves;
• Manage intoxicated, antisocial or disruptive clients with safe removal from the premises. It is very important that all members of staff immediately inform management or supervisor on duty, to take control and address any problematic client/s, as this can easily turn into a bad situation if not handled properly;
• Be responsible for the safety of their clients, when trying out new trend of recipes, or creating new recipes making sure that they are aware of any ingredients and allergic reactions that may cause to their clients;

During the launch Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said that the European Union had been had been discussing issues relating to the consumption of alcohol for a number of years.

“The EU has actively worked with a number of institutions and industry representatives in order to increase awareness and introduce best practices towards establishing a responsible and updated policy regarding the consumption of alcohol.

The aim of the family Business Act is to address obstacles and problems that those operating a family business face especially in instances of business transfers. 

1. Micro Investment of a maximum tax credit of €50,000 over a three-year period, naturally subject to Malta Enterprise’s terms and conditions;
2. Legal and Accountancy advisory services up to €2,500 over a five-year period; to any family business owners that would require assistance in the case of transfers 
3. Assistance for Arbitration sittings to address any possible disputes relating to the transfer of assets (five free sessions).
4. Education and training for owners and their employees of up to €1,000 annually per family business;
5. The positive consideration of lease renewals occupying government premises;
6. Loan guarantees of up to €500,000 per business for the purpose of acquiring the business or parts thereof.

1. Duty on Documents on immovable property being transferred between family members of a family busiess shall be chargeable on the first €500,000 of the value of the property transferred at the advantageous rate of 3.5% or part thereof;
2. In the case of Duty on Documents payable on the transfer of shares of a family owned company between family members, or interests in a partnership, trust or foundation, no duty will be chargeable on account of the first €150,000 of the value of the shares or interests in a partnership, trust or foundation transferred.

1. Setting up a task force to eradicate unfair competition – The task force would be composed of the Ministry for Finance, Customs, Inland Revenue The Ministry for Economy and Business, GRTU as well as other necessary stakeholders. Its task would be to take decisions on action to be taken, evaluate results, and oversee the handling of reported abuse.
2. Introduce Scanners at the new quay – There is already a scanning/stripping system that is utilized at the Freeport and this should be introduced at the landing point of the catamaran. The system is a random one but it is also an automated one. As such GRTU suggests that either all vehicles coming through drive through the scanner of else an automated system is introduced where vehicles are inspected randomly and based on suspicion.